Gabapentin and Pregabalin Effects on Inflammation and Cardiac Function in Peripheral Neuropathic Pain

August 5, 2026 updated by: Tamer Tamdogan, Giresun University

Translational Analysis of Changes in Inflammatory Biomarkers and Subclinical Cardiac Function Associated With Gabapentin and Pregabalin Use in Patients With Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Prospective Controlled Cohort Study

This prospective, controlled, observational cohort study will evaluate short-term changes in inflammatory biomarkers and subclinical cardiac function in adults with peripheral neuropathic pain who are prescribed gabapentin or pregabalin as part of routine clinical care. A total of 75 participants will be enrolled: 25 patients starting gabapentin, 25 patients starting pregabalin, and 25 healthy controls without peripheral neuropathy or chronic neuropathic pain. Treatment selection and dose adjustments will be determined by the treating physician and will not be assigned by the study investigators. Participants will be assessed at baseline and again after 30 ± 7 days. Assessments will include clinical information, pain severity, routine laboratory results, inflammatory biomarkers, and standard transthoracic echocardiography. No additional blood will be collected solely for research; leftover serum from routine testing will be used. The primary aim is to compare changes over time between the gabapentin and pregabalin groups, while the healthy control group will provide a reference for interpretation.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Peripheral neuropathic pain is a chronic condition associated with a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Neuroimmune and inflammatory mechanisms may contribute to its development and persistence. Gabapentin and pregabalin are alpha-2-delta ligands commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain; however, whether these medications are associated with different short-term changes in inflammatory pathways and early cardiac function remains unclear.This is a single-center, prospective, controlled, observational cohort study with repeated measurements. A total of 75 adults will be enrolled in three groups: 25 patients with peripheral neuropathic pain who are prescribed gabapentin, 25 patients with peripheral neuropathic pain who are prescribed pregabalin, and 25 healthy controls without peripheral neuropathy or chronic neuropathic pain.The decision to initiate gabapentin or pregabalin, including the selected drug, starting dose, dose adjustment, continuation, or discontinuation, will be made by the treating neurosurgery physician as part of routine clinical care and independently of study participation. The investigators will not randomize participants, assign treatment, determine medication doses, or modify routine treatment decisions.Patients in the gabapentin and pregabalin cohorts will undergo baseline assessment before the first medication dose and a follow-up assessment 30 ± 7 days later. Healthy controls will undergo corresponding assessments at enrollment and after 30 ± 7 days. Clinical assessments will include demographic characteristics, neuropathic pain characteristics, pain severity measured using a 0-10 numerical rating scale, comorbidities, concomitant medications, blood pressure, heart rate, medication exposure, adherence, treatment tolerability, and adverse events.Routine laboratory findings will be recorded. No additional blood sample will be collected solely for research purposes. After completion of clinically required laboratory testing, leftover serum will be coded, aliquoted, stored at -80 °C, and used to measure the inflammatory and signaling biomarkers NLRP3, nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), according to the manufacturers' instructions.Standard transthoracic echocardiography will be performed by a cardiologist at baseline and follow-up. Echocardiographic assessments will include left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular global longitudinal strain, left ventricular dimensions and wall thickness, left atrial volume index, transmitral E/A ratio, tissue Doppler e' velocity, E/e' ratio, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, right ventricular S' velocity, and other clinically relevant standard measurements.The primary objective is to compare changes from baseline to 30 ± 7 days in inflammatory biomarkers and subclinical cardiac function between the gabapentin and pregabalin cohorts. The primary analysis will assess the group-by-time interaction using a linear mixed-effects model. The healthy control cohort will serve as a reference group for secondary and exploratory comparisons. Additional analyses will examine associations among biomarker changes, pain severity, cardiac function, clinical characteristics, medication exposure, and treatment tolerability.De-identified clinical findings may also be integrated with publicly available, anonymous transcriptomic or genomic summary datasets for exploratory, hypothesis-generating translational analyses. No genomic sequencing will be performed on study participants, and biological samples will not be transferred outside the study institution.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
75

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of 75 adults recruited at a single center. The patient population will include adults with clinically diagnosed peripheral neuropathic pain who are prescribed gabapentin or pregabalin as part of routine clinical care. Eligible patients will be enrolled consecutively into the gabapentin cohort (n=25) or pregabalin cohort (n=25), according to the treatment selected by the treating physician independently of the study.The healthy control cohort will include 25 adults attending the cardiology outpatient clinic for a routine health examination or check-up who have no peripheral neuropathy, chronic neuropathic pain, current gabapentin or pregabalin use, or clinically significant cardiovascular disease. Healthy controls will be frequency matched to the patient cohorts, as feasible, by age, sex, and body mass index.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patient Cohorts:Age 18 years or older.A clinical diagnosis of peripheral neuropathic pain based on medical history, physical and neurological examination, and, when available, electrophysiological testing or imaging.A determination, following routine clinical evaluation, that initiation of gabapentin or pregabalin is clinically appropriate.Ability to complete baseline assessments before the first dose.Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent.Healthy Controls:Age 18 years or older.Attendance at the cardiology department for a routine health examination or check-up.No peripheral neuropathy, chronic neuropathic pain, gabapentin or pregabalin use, or clinically significant cardiovascular disease based on standard clinical screening.Eligibility, as far as possible, for frequency matching with the patient cohorts by age, sex, and body mass index.Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Known or newly identified heart failure.2. Clinically significant valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, significant cardiac arrhythmia, previous acute coronary syndrome, or other significant structural heart disease.3. Active or recent acute infection.4. Active autoimmune or systemic inflammatory disease.5. Active malignancy.6. Recent major surgery, severe trauma, or acute cardiovascular event.7. Current systemic corticosteroid or immunosuppressive treatment.8. Advanced renal or hepatic dysfunction.9. Uncontrolled thyroid disease.10. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.11. Any acute clinical condition likely to substantially affect baseline biomarker measurements.12. Current use of gabapentin or pregabalin at baseline.13. Inability to complete baseline measurements before the first dose of gabapentin or pregabalin.14. Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, would prevent safe or appropriate participation in the study

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Gabapentin Cohort
Adults with peripheral neuropathic pain who are prescribed gabapentin by the treating physician as part of routine clinical care, independently of study participation. Baseline assessments will be completed before the first dose, and follow-up assessments will be performed 30 ± 7 days later. The investigators will not assign the medication, determine the dose, or modify treatment decisions.
Drug: Gabapentin
Gabapentin prescribed as part of routine clinical care for peripheral neuropathic pain. The decision to initiate treatment, as well as the starting dose, dose adjustments, continuation, or discontinuation, will be determined by the treating physician independently of study participation. The study investigators will not assign or modify treatment.
Pregabalin Cohort
Adults with peripheral neuropathic pain who are prescribed pregabalin by the treating physician as part of routine clinical care, independently of study participation. Baseline assessments will be completed before the first dose, and follow-up assessments will be performed 30 ± 7 days later. The investigators will not assign the medication, determine the dose, or modify treatment decisions.
Drug: Pregabalin
Pregabalin prescribed as part of routine clinical care for peripheral neuropathic pain. The decision to initiate treatment, as well as the starting dose, dose adjustments, continuation, or discontinuation, will be determined by the treating physician independently of study participation. The study investigators will not assign or modify treatment.
Healthy Control Cohort
Adults without peripheral neuropathy or chronic neuropathic pain and without current gabapentin or pregabalin use. Healthy controls will be frequency matched to the patient cohorts, as feasible, by age, sex, and body mass index. Assessments will be performed at enrollment and again after 30 ± 7 days. Participants in this cohort will not receive gabapentin or pregabalin as part of the study.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Serum NLRP3 Concentration
Time Frame: Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after treatment initiation
Serum NLRP3 concentration will be measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in coded leftover serum obtained after completion of routine clinical laboratory testing. Measurements will be performed before the first dose of gabapentin or pregabalin and at the follow-up visit. Change will be calculated as the follow-up value minus the baseline value. The primary comparison will evaluate the group-by-time interaction between the gabapentin and pregabalin cohorts.
Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after treatment initiation
Change From Baseline in Serum NF-κB p65 Concentration
Time Frame: Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after treatment initiation
Serum nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) concentration will be measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in coded leftover serum obtained after completion of routine clinical laboratory testing. Measurements will be performed before the first dose of gabapentin or pregabalin and at the follow-up visit. Change will be calculated as the follow-up value minus the baseline value. The primary comparison will evaluate the group-by-time interaction between the gabapentin and pregabalin cohorts.
Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after treatment initiation
Change From Baseline in Serum STAT3 Concentration
Time Frame: Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after treatment initiation
Serum signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) concentration will be measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in coded leftover serum obtained after completion of routine clinical laboratory testing. Measurements will be performed before the first dose of gabapentin or pregabalin and at the follow-up visit. Change will be calculated as the follow-up value minus the baseline value. The primary comparison will evaluate the group-by-time interaction between the gabapentin and pregabalin cohorts.
Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after treatment initiation
Change From Baseline in Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain
Time Frame: Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after treatment initiation
Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) will be assessed by standard transthoracic echocardiography and reported as a percentage. Measurements will be performed before the first dose of gabapentin or pregabalin and at the follow-up visit, using the same echocardiography system and analysis software whenever possible. Change will be calculated as the follow-up value minus the baseline value. The primary comparison will evaluate the group-by-time interaction between the gabapentin and pregabalin cohorts.
Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after treatment initiation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Neuropathic Pain Intensity
Time Frame: Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after treatment initiation
Neuropathic pain intensity will be assessed in the gabapentin and pregabalin cohorts using an 11-point numerical rating scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Change will be calculated as the follow-up score minus the baseline score
Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after treatment initiation
Change From Baseline in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Time Frame: Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after baseline
Left ventricular ejection fraction will be measured by standard transthoracic echocardiography using the biplane Simpson method and reported as a percentage. Change will be calculated as the follow-up value minus the baseline value.
Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after baseline
Change From Baseline in Left Atrial Volume Index
Time Frame: Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after baseline
Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) will be measured by transthoracic echocardiography and reported in millimeters as an indicator of right ventricular systolic function. Change will be calculated as the follow-up value minus the baseline value.
Baseline and 30 ± 7 days after baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Giresun University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
October 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
August 5, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 5, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 5, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • PREGABA-2026

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

There is currently no plan to make individual participant-level data publicly available. Study findings will be reported in aggregate and de-identified form. Any sharing of de-identified data with authorized researchers will be subject to ethics committee approval, institutional policies, and applicable data protection requirements.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings